Legendary SPFL striker Stephen Dobbie announces exit from Queen of the South after 116 goals

Stephen Dobbie claimed the match ball when QOS defeated Falkirk in 2018. (Picture: Michael Gillen)

The prolific striker, whose finest form has always come with the Dumfries club, will leave at the end of the season and play his final home game on Friday night, the club has announced.

There will re main a lasting legacy to the forward though with a statue at the arena outside the ground dedicated in his honour.

Dobbie, club captain at Palmerston said : “It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing that my time at Queens has come to an end and that this Friday will sadly be my last appearance in a Queens shirt.

Stephen Dobbie warms up for Queen of the South. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

“What an amazing time I’ve had. I have loved every minute of my seven and a half years. I made my debut against Dundee so it’s fitting my last appearance will be against them. My first ever goal for the club came against Dundee so fingers crossed history will repeat itself when we play them on Friday night.

“There have been many highlights during my time. My statue at the arena, being inducted into the Queens Hall of Fame, becoming the club’s second top ever goalscorer and beating the record for most goals in a season! The biggest honour for me has to be becoming the club captain - pulling on the jersey, the armband and leading my team out.

"Queens isn’t just another football club to me - I’ve become a supporter myself. The way in which the club and the fans have embraced me and my family will always hold a special place in my heart.

Dobbie, trained at Rangers and later to play for Hibs and St Johnstone before joining the Doonhamers, hit 47 goals in his first spell - one every two games – earning a move to Swansea City after two and a half years and the forward contributed to promotion to the English Premier League, though returned frequently to the Championship on loan at Blackpool, Brighton and Crystal Palace, who he also joined permanently.

After further short moves to Fleetwood and Bolton, Dobbie returned to Dumfries in 2016 and returned with a strike-rate of two goals in every three games, topping the Championship scoring charts in two of his first three seasons.

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